Having insisted that Internet Explorer won't get a proper update until after Longhorn, MS has suggested it might add some features soon that consumers see as a 'super-high priority' Microsoft, under pressure to add new features to Internet Explorer, said it might do so by way of the browser's add-on mechanism. The company has been steadfast in its insistence that it won't issue a new standalone IE, which saw its last major upgrade in August 2001. After sustaining a series of security crises with IE, Microsoft issued a major upgrade with the Windows XP Service Pack 2. But that IE update is available only to people who use Windows XP -- about half the Windows world. Source i_XpUser

Its the likes of this that gets my goat up with I.E., I'm not wanting to start a which browser is the best thread....but It has to be said that I.E. as a browser is way behind the times. Not just in security issues [which are the most important] but with all the other features that are available in the likes of Firefox, Maxthon [ex MyIE2] and Avant I.E. really sucks My2cents Any fool can make a rule and any fool will follow it www.wankerdrivers.com

I'd disagree that Firefox et al are ahead of IE - I've had to revert back to IE for some sites which only accept it and Netscape. IE has problems because it is the most 'popular' (sic) browser and is targeted by hackers etc. If Firefox becomes popular the same fate will befall it. I've got no allegiance to any particular browser, I just want one which gets on with the job. I keep up to date with all updates & take all possible precautions - touch wood I've had no major problems on any of my systems. So MS doesn't want to spend time on trying to patch holes in a browser which will eventually be replaced by a better version. They are not a charity & you can bet that their eventual aim is to make sure that when Longhorn eventually emerges it will be trumpeted as the most secure system, including its browser. If they make current IE totally secure, we Luddites will not want to buy into the new security. Sorry, but it makes economic sense. If you have problems with this, I'd suggest using Linux' browsers which are, for the moment, unaffected (yes I also have RedHat and Mandrake setups which I occasionally use, but still have to come back to IE or certain sites). End of missive (it's late in the evening & I'll probably look back at this post tomorrow & think 'what a w****r) "I know that I'm mad - I've always been mad..."

I use IE6 on W98SE. There have been cumulative security updates. Are we saying that these are not good enough, or that in some way XP SP2 users get their IE6 updated to a higher level of security? Derek.W

I think your missing my point, and I don't have a particular allegiance to FF or I.E. and your right that some sites wont view correctly if your not using I.E. This is due to the site being coded incorrectly...not a FF issue Its the fact that most other browser have feature packed addons/extentions...I.E. is way behind on this...Tabbed browsing and mouse gestures just to name 2. OK the I.E. upgrade with SP2 has the pop up blocker...but even this is a bare bones blocker, compared to features available in the Ad Blockers on FF and Maxthon. and yes MS are not a charity...thats for sure :-) Alan56 Any fool can make a rule and any fool will follow it www.wankerdrivers.com

MS have said that IE on Win98 is not as secure as IE on XP - they have no intention of patching 98 any further as they want everyone to move to XP/Longhorn - hence them discontinuing support for 98 shortly. "I know that I'm mad - I've always been mad..."

Regarding MS support for Windows 98 and IE, why don't we just let this official announcement speak for itself? i_XpUser